Greg Hudson 2016-17 Football Staff

A 25-year coaching veteran who has served as a defensive coordinator at Purdue, East Carolina and Minnesota, Greg Hudson is in his first season in 2016 with the Notre Dame coaching staff as a defensive analyst.

Hudson, a Notre Dame graduate (’90), former Irish graduate assistant in 1993 and most recently defensive coordinator at Purdue for three seasons (2013-15), also served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for three seasons at Florida State (2010-12).

Hudson helped the Seminoles improve from 108th in total defense the year prior to his arrival (2009) to second among all FBS teams in 2012 (only BCS national champion Alabama had a higher rated defense). In addition in ‘12, Florida State ranked second in the FBS in fewest first downs allowed (ranked 93rd in 2009), third in rush defense (ranked 108th in 2009), third in third down efficiency (ranked 101st in 2009) and sixth in scoring defense (ranked 94th in 2009).

In 2011, Hudson’s linebackers accounted for 32 percent of the Seminoles’ tackles for loss which helped Florida State finish eighth nationally in that category. FSU allowed its opponents to run for an average of just 2.35 yards per carry, which led the nation. The Seminoles finished second nationally in rushing defense (82.7), fourth in scoring defense (15.1), eighth in tackles for loss (8.62) and tied for eighth in sacks (3.08 per game).

Hudson joined the Florida State staff after spending five seasons as the defensive coordinator at East Carolina (2005-09).

During his tenure with the Pirates, East Carolina registered four consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 30 years and made four consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in school history. The Pirates also became the first team to win consecutive Conference USA championship games, pulling off the feat in 2008 and 2009. Hudson’s defenses earned a reputation for turning over opponents, coming up with 145 takeaways in five seasons, an average of 29 per season, which ranked among the top 10 of all FBS programs in that stretch. In 2009, the Pirates finished in the top 10 nationally in four defensive categories, including fumbles recovered (third), red zone defense (seventh), turnovers forced (fourth) and turnover margin (10th). Hudson’s unit also led Conference USA in scoring defense (21.93) and turnover margin.

He also has served as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota (2000-04) and as an assistant coach at Cincinnati (1997-2000).

Hudson has coached in the postseason in 13 of his 24 years as a collegiate coach (12 bowls, one NCAA Division III Championship), including FSU’s 31-10 win over Northern Illinois in the 2013 Discover Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Hudson earned a master’s degree from the University of Redlands in 2000.